HARRISBURG – Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) announced that her cyber charter school reform legislation was included in the FY 2025-2026 bipartisan budget agreement. The legislation was included as part of the Education Code. In addition, these reforms return $178 million to brick and mortar schools, by better aligning with the actual costs of educating a virtual student.
Act 55 of 2024 mandates that cyber charter schools conduct wellness checks at least once during any week consisting of three or more instructional days. The new law ensures that an enrolled student is visibly seen and communicated with in real time by the teacher, administrator, or their representative of the cyber charter school in order to satisfy the wellness check requirement
Language from Pennycuick’s Senate Bill 984, which created new reforms to provide better resources for schools to address chronic truancy and absenteeism, were also included in Act 55.
“As a strong proponent of giving families options in educating their children, I value the l opportunities provided by cyber charter schools,” said Pennycuick. “Unfortunately, we have found that in some cases, kids are not showing up for online class and there is no accountability on behalf of the school or the family. For kids to learn they’ve got to be in class – virtual or in-person. The new law helps schools work with families to ensure no student falls behind.”
It also improves the residency verification process within Pennsylvania’s cyber charter school system. As the number of students enrolled in cyber charters continues to grow, the residency of these students is verified on a continuing basis. Parents must submit verification of student residency twice each academic year.
CONTACT: Lidia Di Fiore (215) 541-2388